Thermal comfort in air-conditioned learning environment / Meor Ahmad Mustaqim Meor Mohamad Zain

This paper evaluates the current thermal comfort conditions of air-conditioned learning environment and health effects among the occupants using objective measurement and subjective assessment. Objective measurement was mainly to quantify the air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity and air velocity. Subjective assessment was conducted using a questionnaire to determine the occupants thermal comfort sensations and investigate their perception of the thermal comfort level together with their comments on health effects. It was found that the measured relative humidity and air velocities were within the limits of recommended standard although operative temperatures were below the proposed limit. In general, thermal comfort in the air-conditioned learning environment was within acceptable level with 53.2% of the occupants vote in comfortable segment. The calculated Prediction Mean Vote (PMV) - Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD) indices computed only 14.35% of the occupants were not satisfied with the learning environment. Nevertheless, the calculated Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) revealed that the people perceived the learning environment to be slightly cool as well as 44.7% from them were slightly uncomfortable. Furthermore, there was significant difference (p < 0.05) between value of thermal comfort based on PMV and value of thermal comfort based on comfort vote (TSV). Results also showed that there was significant association between learning environment and health effects among the occupants. Additionally, recommendations were !!lade to improve the thermal comfort condition of the air-conditioned learning environment as well to advance the health condition among the occupants.